The story of this wonderful beast is told, under the name of “Gyanousa,” in the Knickerbocker Magazine, July, 1846, xxviii. 36; also by Major Jack Downing, April 15, 1862. A couple of Yankees, going south, ran short of funds. So they agreed that one of them should personate a wild beast, the “Guyascutus,” the other acting as showman. After the gate-money was collected, the showman made the Guyascutus howl and rattle his chains, and then pretended that he had broken loose; whereupon the spectators fled, and the two Yankees divided the proceeds.
1849. There were … four gaunt wolves, one ‘prock,’ one ‘guyanosa,’ and a young Penobscot ice-breaker.—Knick. Mag., xxxiv. 93 (July).
1854. The ‘gyastacutas’ was a nail-keg, with a raw hide strained over it, like a drum-head, and inside of the keg, attached to the centre of this drum-head, a string hung, with which the instrument was worked by pulling in the string and ‘let fly.’ [This was one of the pieces of the ‘Calathumpian Band,’ used for charivaris.]—H. H. Riley, ‘Puddleford,’ pp. 94–5 (N.Y.).
1855. Whither shall the Democracy flee? The Guyascutis am loose!—Olympia (W.T.) Pioneer, June 22.
1855. The Guyascutus must be caught.—Id., July 6.
